Runaway train case delayed

A hearing into a case in which nine runaway carriages smashed into a man's car has been delayed.

Transport company Toll New Zealand Consolidated Limited and two train drivers were due to appear in Masterton District Court today, but the matter was deferred until March 6.

Police laid charges against the company and drivers after the freak rail crash which seriously injured newspaper delivery driver Steven Geange on July 28 last year.

The crash happened when nine empty freight wagons came loose from a locomotive at Waingawa and in pitch darkness rolled 9km towards Carterton.

They crashed into Mr Geange's ute as he crossed the railway line at Hodders Crossing about 5am.

The case is the first prosecution laid under section 7 of the Railways Act 2005.

The drivers have been jointly charged with doing or omitting to do an act in respect of a rail vehicle that would, or would be likely to, cause death or serious injury to individuals.

Toll New Zealand has been charged separately under the same section.

The findings of a separate investigation by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission are due to be presented later this month at a meeting of the commission's board.

- Wairarapa Times-Age